New Delhi:(IANS) Sowing of Kharif crops accelerated by 1.6 percent to 1,021.86 lakh hectares as on September 18, showed official data released by the agriculture ministry on Friday.

The monsoon crops were sown on an area of 1,005.84 lakh hectares during the corresponding time of last year.

Rice, consumed widely in the country, was transplanted on 372.66 lakh hectares, while pulses were sown on 112.42 lakh hectare and coarse cereals on 182.70 lakh hectares.

Oilseeds were sown on an area of 182.25 lakh hectares, sugarcane on 48.84 lakh hectares and cotton on 115.20 lakh hectares, according to the data.